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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Woke up this morning in my own bed at home and still tired and tapped out from a crazy week.
it started with meeting Witko Jerome and Tom at the martin factory (ok it really started with fighting with contractors on mon and tues ) and ended in East hartford on Sunday at my favorite deli with ed and karen.
It was an absolute pleasure to meet Tom and Jerome. They are really great guys. my regret is that if I ever do get to france to visit I would have no clue how to communicate with anyone.
it was an absolute pleasure to see so many new faces this year. alond with the old guard!! I liken this event to a family reunion, a rather disfuctional family reunion at times but a family just the same.
I want to thank Witko, Kim, Paul and Buddy for their workshops. I got to see all but paul's and they were all stellar! Thank you guys for making this a true EVENT. I have some ideas for next year.....
To those that I did not get a chance to speak to. Accept my apology I am really busy those 3 days and sometimes it feels like my head is going to explode.
Thanks to Rick, Frank, John, Kim and Jol for making the factory portion of the event the reason why people just keep coming back !!!!
my favorite time is spent with the music there are so many talented people here and the lobby jams and the jam at the ski lodge proves that all the time. sitting back in the lobby in the shadows listening is my favorite sport Thanks for allowing my meager ability and frog throated voice to attempt to entertain at the jam.
speacial thanks to Paul Temp who did not mention townes van zandt over the entire weekend (and who is member of the year) Brad for his constant enthusiam, he is never seen without a smile and a guitar in his hand paging through his ever growing book of charts, witko who forces me to come out of the darkness at times, cliff for making me laugh, Kim for being a great friend, the stonges for their kindness, and I better stop now or this message will never get over.
did I really see a catapult or was that a dream too?
motorbiker fred don't ever call me again on sun morning at 6 45 after a heavy weekend of drinking and parties |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Al, On behalf of everyone a huge THANK YOU to you for putting so much effort into this and pulling off another stellar event.
Btw, Do you have the dates yet for next year ???
Dave |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | dave
comas mierda y muerta |
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February 2005
Posts: 1133
Location: Parrish, FL | Damn, Dave beat me to it! :D |
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February 2005
Posts: 212
Location: France | THANK YOU Al!
WWWDWA
Tom |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Al,
Great to meet you and thanks for all that you did in preperation for this! I can hardly wait for next year! (BTW: take some time to rest now: tell the contractors to take a hike--- ;) )I'll be in touch about the 12 string etc.
Blessings! |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | thanks al and everyone else who had a hand in this. it was great!!! jason |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | It is hard to believe it's over...and that I almost didn't go in the first place. Meeting all of the people I've been conversing with for the last three years was worth the effort (and really, it wasn't much effort..Brad and Brian did the driving! Heh.) I'd still like to know why you hate me, Al, but......maybe someday I'll find out. :p
Thanks to everyone who had a hand in putting this thing together and especially to Brad and Brian for providing the opportunity, as well as motivating me, to go along. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I really don't know what to say, but I will try to explain how overwhelmed I am with how the OvationFanClub and this event has evolved.
The fact that we even had an event this year based on some other things going on least of which was/is the factory being in the middle of a huge product launch and build mode, was amazing enough.
After meeting Tom and Jerome, spending time with old friends, and seeing all the new faces, I was just amazed how this community just keeps growing and growing. Then you add in the "projects" that Alex and I truly have little involvement in such as, the Member of the Year award and program, the Trebuchet, those cool business card holders, a gorgeous Banner, the W.W.B.D. bracelets, the TRC project, the workshops, not to mention people like Rick, Frank, John, Kim, Jol and Darren, who put in their efforts in the middle of being busy as all get out already, Ed and Karen who open their home and take in, feed and entertain the weary strangers for the day and even the other projects during the year such as the CD's, DVD's, Calendars, Photo's and lets not forgot the staff of the Homewood Suites who basically treat us like Rock Stars and let us take over the hotel....
Well, I'm just overwhelmed. I wish I had some really pithy comment to make, but I can't think of one that would do this event any justice. So, for those that did not make it, I will just say...
YA SHUDDA BEEN THERE !!!!!!! |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by cruster:
I'd still like to know why you hate me, Al, but......maybe someday I'll find out. Crusty. Remember that 'name & blame' issue you and I were discussing? :p :p :p |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
lets not forgot the staff of the Homewood Suites who basically treat us like Rock Stars and let us take over the hotel....
I will just say...
YA SHUDDA BEEN THERE !!!!!!! The folks at Homewoood Suites are very accomodating to the OFC. We basically take over the entire lobby with all night jams.
I'd also like to extend a special thank you to Kim Keller. After the Tour and Ski Lodge Jam Friday, Kim came to the lobby and dropped off three bottles of Patron tequila - a blanco, a reposado and an anejo. It sure helped to keep things lively. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
Then you add in the "projects" that Alex and I truly have little involvement in such as, the Member of the Year award and program, the Trebuchet, those cool business card holders, a gorgeous Banner, the W.W.B.D. bracelets, the TRC project, the workshops, although I did not actually do the workshops I was behind scheduling them and making them happen. I made all the arrangements.
and who do you think was savy enough to get witko's signature for the trc's? |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Did anyones clothes fall off???????
TooKilla makes clothes fall off. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Thankfully, no. Those drinking tequila didn't retain enough dexterity to undo any buttons. |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | the question is where can i get a witko trc?? i gotta have one for my folklore.....jason |
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January 2007
Posts: 69
Location: west virginia | you can tell the tour is over cause your all back posting away...lol.....man who needs tv when there is you guys always cracking someone up....Misty |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Crusty. Remember that 'name & blame' issue you and I were discussing? :p :p :p HAHA! Moody was telling me that if I come back next year I can expect everyone to be saying, "John, you're a real PITA" again...but next time they *will* be referring to me and not you. :eek: |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Scene at Bradley Airport, mid-day Sunday: Some guy is racing wildly out of the airport with luggage, wife and kids in tow, eyes wide with panic. He'd just been told by a group of six guys walking down the concourse in the opposite direction carrying Ovation guitar cases that some guy in an Ovation Guitars van out in the parking lot was giving them away on a first come, first serve basis, probably some form of radio station publicity stunt. |
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October 2005
Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Thankfully, no. Those drinking tequila didn't retain enough dexterity to undo any buttons. Note to self - Wear velcro in '08. |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 2178
Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | I had a GREAT time this year and like Miles mentioned above, it grows bigger and better each year.
I ENJOYED seeing old friends and making new ones.....
Just a few "new acquaintance" highlights,
.....Played a few songs with Mike (MusicMishka) He plays a mean harmonica
.....Meet and talked with Jerome and Tom although there was an language barrier - MINE - those guys couldn't understand a thing I said 'cause of my Southern drawl!
.....Played and SANG some Johnny Cash songs with JasonS (I had fun even if he didn't remember who I was....)
.....Met Cruster....Nice guy with an easygoing personality (he busses tables too!)
.....Got to meet and talk with David (DVD) Cool person!
.....Enjoyed the company of and conversation with Paul (paulcc1) and his lovely wife Eva!
.....Met,listened,and watched ProfessorBB "work" every inch of a guitar's fretboard...He's Good!
.....Met Karen (Jewel's Mom) and her entourage (Robby,Beth,Mike?) Karen can play "the hound" outta her Applause bass!
.....Introduced myself to Mike (CrimsonLake) so that when we meet again at the Southern-Style OFC Jamboree...we'll be "old" friends!
And of course ALL the old friends from tours past......Too many to name individually, but you know who you are!
A very special "Thank You" to Ed and Karen for the invite to their home this year for FUN,FOOD,GAMES,and a whole lot of GUITARS!! (I played a Cadillac Green Baritone Elite Prototype 12 string that just rattled every bone in your body - WOW) In years past I always missed the party at Ed and Karen's because of leaving early,but this year my wife and I stayed over an "extra" day just so we could be part of the festivities....And we're GLAD we did!
I learned a lot at ALL the workshops.....Dave knows and loves his UKES and teaches a great class. Paul's vast knowledge of recording techniques is amazing!
Kim's care and feeding class showed me that his years of experience at Ovation makes him and his crew the ONLY people to trust my Ovation repairs to!
Buddy's "roll your O" class gave us a few insider "pro tricks" and techniques from his years as a Nashville picker!
Thanks again and forgive me if I left anyone out........I'M READY FOR NEXT YEAR!!!! YSBD |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | damn now that i looked at the pics i rembered who you were trboy. we gotta learn a few more of the cash tunes for next year.......jason |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | It was a very special treat to be a part of this year's OFC Tour. It's so great to meet [once again] -- and finally formally introduce each other -- familiar faces from last year, and to be able to meet new members. CrimsonLake, dvd, Tom_CA, Jerome, Tommy, Cruster, Pez, Goober, Robbie, Jason_S ... just to name a few ... it's so great meeting you all at the tour.
A special thanks to Al, Miles and to all the staff at the factory for making this great event happen, and for being so accommodating to my parents who decided to be a part of it. Hopefully, my old man wasn't being such a pain in the [fill in the blanks]...
- Thanks Kim for the special wrench. Now I can make neck adjustments with ease. The workshop was definitely very helpful as well.
- Thanks Goober for the comic relief, and for the informative workshop. Due to a sudden change of plans with my parents and SWMBO, my plans also had to change and I apologize for leaving early.
- Thanks to Jerome for the pick. I enjoyed the duet that you did with Tom at the lobby jam.
- Thank you Jason_S, Bill [Weaser P], and Brad for giving me the opportunity to play your wonderful guitars. Jason's Adamas played nice; it was my first to check out a UTE and that 1537 was definitely a keeper. Thanks to Brian T for the encouragement and sharing some great songs.
- Thank you Trboy for allowing me to follow you to the ski lodge ... you can tell, I'm pretty bad with directions.
and to quote Trboy, "Thanks again and forgive me if I left anyone out."
Ok ... before I begin to sound like the woman from that celebrity cruise commercial, I need to stop! |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | gil, the song you played late that night was beatuiful, is was kinda eire because it sounded damn close to the real thing!!!!!!! jason |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 21
| A big thank you to Hamer and Ovation for their hospitality (and let's not forget Homewood Suites - great folks who don't mind getting the main lobby turned into a giant guitar frat-house).
Thanks to everybody who stopped by Casa de Stonge to hang out and jam. Great to see familiar faces, and great to welcome new friends (ProfessorBB, Trboy, and their respective spouses). Finally met Cruster so we could talk pinball machines (just buy it!), got to sample Michigan Ginger Ale (totally rocks), play an OFC (Moody, you're wrong. The OFC guitar is better than my fugly beast. Not by much, but it is better IMHO. Enjoy it!) and listen to Al in the next room grumble at a 6:45am phone call (Fred, I have your picks - email me at stongemonatolddotcom and I'll ship them out to you - and mrs stonge says you owe her a hug 'cause you had to run to catch your ride).
An absolute ball - since everybody knows I procrastinate, just plan your flights out for Sunday 'cause there will be another party next year!
Was that a trebuchet parked out on the street in front of Casa de Stonge? My neighbors seem afraid to talk to me now...
'something' fell out of Al's truck when he left Sunday afternoon. photos as soon as I can find that dratted card reader lol... |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | stonge,i loved your "fugly adamas" i played that beast for what seemed like hours saturday!! thanks for having us and see ya next year.....jason |
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March 2005
Posts: 2793
Location: Atlanta, GA. | ProfBB,
That's just mean... but, funny. |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Originally posted by Trboy:
I'M READY FOR NEXT YEAR!!!! YSBD Uh, Mike did you mean "You sons of bitchs, DANG!!!" or "You're silent but deadly"? :p :D
Phil |
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February 2003
Posts: 2178
Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | Phil,
Shudda have been YSBT - You Shudda Been There!
but I noticed it to late to edit it... :rolleyes:
....so it's YSBD - You Sudda Been Dere! (work's fer me :D )
Oh,BTW Phil.......  |
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March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | Well, after working in the southwest part of the state, I'm back at the Homewood Suites for one last night then home tomorrow.
Gotta say, it's awfully quiet here....... |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | paul,it was quite there when i was the only one left..lol it was good to see you again...jason |
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Wow is it really over?